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Title: The Cambridge History of Japan: Volume 2, Heian Japan by Donald H. Shively, William H. McCullough, John Whitney Hall, Marius B. Jansen, Madoka Kanai, Denis Twitchett ISBN: 0-521-22353-9 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 28 July, 1999 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $130.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: An Extensive Reference
Comment: This is the second volume in The Cambridge History of Japan, covering from the founding of Heian-kyo in 794 to the Gimpei clan wars of 1185 and the rising dominance of the warrior class. Arguably, these are the formative years for Japanese culture and social structure. Many of the subtle forms of governance that endured into modern times were entrenched at this time. Art and religion flourished as well (this was the period in which The Tale of Genji was written).
The Heian era, marked by a tremendous amount of formative activity, are crucial to understanding all that followed. This text is as exhaustive a record and analysis of those times as any reader would ever want. The chapters are written by individual experts in their fields and cover key aspects of history, politics, sociology, religion, and art. If anything, the worst criticism of this text is that the amount of information provided is overwhelming.
Casual history buffs beware. Don't expect an easy to read narrative. The intended reader is either academic or deeply interested. The kind of person who doesn't mind information overload and who is willing to take the time to put all the pieces of the picture into place. It may be important to understand rice politics, but, for the average reader, the subject lacks the glitter of the Heian court and the conflicts that forged modern Japan.
Of course, this is intended to be a reference book as much as a history, which accounts for the dryness of some of the writing. But as a reference book it really shines - I have yet to look for something and not be able to find material. For the right reader, the book is well worth its steep price.
Rating: 4
Summary: It's the most detail publication on Heain era in Japan!
Comment: If one is looking for a manual that can help him/her understand historical events in Heian period (794-1185) then this is the book. It brings to you in detail the system of government (copying China's Tchang dynasty model), introduction of new Buddhist sects to Japan (Tendai, Shingon) and the life / culture at the Imperial Court in Heiankyo (contemporary capital). What may scare one off is the price but if you're either deeply interested in Japan's history or want to know more than you can find in the general popular history books then be sure to add this piece to your bookself and it will bring the Heain Japan to your reading chair. Index and glossary are practically arranged.
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Title: The Cambridge History of Japan: Volume 1, Ancient Japan by Delmer M. Brown ISBN: 0521223520 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 30 July, 1993 List Price(USD): $150.00 |
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Title: The Cambridge History of Japan: Volume 3, Medieval Japan by Kozo Yamamura ISBN: 0521223547 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 27 April, 1990 List Price(USD): $150.00 |
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Title: The Cambridge History of Japan: Volume 4, Sengoku and Edo by John Whitney Hall ISBN: 0521223555 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 28 June, 1991 List Price(USD): $150.00 |
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Title: The Cambridge History of Japan: Volume 5, The Nineteenth Century by Marius B. Jansen ISBN: 0521223563 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 28 July, 1989 List Price(USD): $150.00 |
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Title: The Cambridge History of Japan: Volume 6, The Twentieth Century by Peter Duus ISBN: 0521223571 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 28 April, 1989 List Price(USD): $150.00 |
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